Fans of Jackson Lamb and his band of disgraced spies can relax: Slow Horses Season 6 is officially on the way. The next chapter of the hit Apple TV+ series has finished filming and is now in post-production, setting the stage for the Slough House team’s most dangerous mission yet.
The Green Light and Production Status
Apple TV+ confirmed Slow Horses Season 6 in October 2024, ensuring the acclaimed spy thriller would continue. The production has moved at a remarkable speed. Gary Oldman himself confirmed that filming for the sixth season is complete, stating, “We’ve already shot season 6, it’s in the can.” The series is now in post-production, with editing and visual effects work underway.
This efficient workflow suggests a steady release pattern for the show. While an exact premiere date is not yet announced, the consistent annual schedule points toward a expected release in Fall 2026.
A High-Stakes Plot: Names on a List and a Fight for Survival
The official logline from Apple TV+ sets a tense stage for the new season: “Season six sees the Slow Horses on the run as Diana Taverner embroils them all in a fatally high-stakes game of retaliation and revenge.” A teaser shown after the Season 5 finale provided more thrilling details.
The crisis begins when a file containing the real names of every Slough House agent is stolen. With their identities exposed, Jackson Lamb and his team are forced into hiding. As Lamb puts it, “My Joes are being hunted.” The situation is so dire that resident tech expert Roddy Ho confirms, “We don’t exist anymore.” Diana Taverner, now in a position of greater power, seems to be orchestrating a cover-up, erasing Slough House from official records. The team must navigate this lethal game while facing assassins and old enemies, with Lamb warning, “We’re running out of time… It’s a bloodbath.”
The Novels Behind the Season: Joe Country and Slough House
For the first time, a season of Slow Horses will blend two of Mick Herron’s novels. Season 6 will adapt “Joe Country” and “Slough House,” the sixth and seventh books in the series.
“Joe Country” finds the Slow Horses grappling with past traumas and a new recruit seeking revenge for his ruined career. The story sees Lamb sending his team into the field to settle a score. “Slough House” raises the stakes even higher, with the agents being killed in unusual accidents after their office is wiped from official files. They must navigate a dangerous landscape of populist movements and political corruption to survive.
Returning and New Faces
The core cast is set to return, led by Gary Oldman as the brilliantly unkempt Jackson Lamb. He is joined by Jack Lowden as River Cartwright and Kristin Scott Thomas as the formidable Diana Taverner. Other returning series regulars include Saskia Reeves as Catherine Standish, Christopher Chung as Roddy Ho, Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Shirley Dander, and Tom Brooke as J.K. Coe.
A significant return is that of Hugo Weaving as Frank Harkness, River Cartwright’s father, whose presence always complicates matters. The season will also introduce new characters played by guest stars such as Lenny Rush, MyAnna Buring, Harry Lloyd, Kyle Soller, and Lucian Msamati.
Changes Behind the Scenes
Season 6 brings a significant change in its creative team. Will Smith, the show’s original showrunner, stepped down after Season 5. He explained his decision was to avoid creative repetition and ensure the show remains fresh. Taking over for Season 6 is Gaby Chiappe, who has been a co-executive producer on the series. The season is directed by Adam Randall, who also directed Season 4.
More Espionage Ahead: Season 7 is Confirmed
The future looks bright for the Slow Horses. Even before Season 6 airs, Apple TV+ has already confirmed a Season 7. The renewal was announced in July 2025. According to reports, Season 7 will see Lamb and his team hunting for a mole at the heart of the British government. Gary Oldman confirmed that production on the seventh season is scheduled to begin in late October 2025, ensuring that the world of Slough House will continue to expand.
Also Read: Slow Horses Season 5 Finale: Scars Revealed and MI5 Upended
